At thirty-one, Arlene Dickinson found herself stranded. Recently divorced, she had only a high school diploma, no savings and no clue how she was going to feed four young children. But just one year later, she was a partner in Venture Communications. Ten years on, she was CEO, poised to grow the business into one of Canada’s largest independently owned marketing firms. Today, as a co-star of the CBC hit Dragons’ Den, she is one of the country’s most sought-after female entrepreneurs. The secret of her journey from poverty to the corner office? The art of persuasion.

Blending her own frank stories with compelling social science, she explains how to persuade both in the boardroom and in everyday life: the crucial importance of a particular kind of listening; how to get people to buy into your ideas; how to attract followers and deal with naysayers; the art of storytelling; how to turn mistakes to your advantage; and how to seize opportunities where others see only roadblocks.

{"currencyCode":"CAD","itemData":[{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":14.43,"ASIN":"1443405973","isPreorder":0},{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":16.6,"ASIN":"144342062X","isPreorder":0},{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":14.4,"ASIN":"0385671768","isPreorder":0}],"shippingId":"1443405973::Qrau%2FNNfe5avHjV3K4ZDO%2FECN3%2FVH8qATMNizfPnE%2FR0TpBspG9SjsBuqz6jRpkcwYnk%2F4wl6OCtmOSm6VjGdWOJSPYb6nukOR2sbuJs%2BLc%3D,144342062X::DE1N8urH%2FIFEvHv3Z9E0LONGWvV72j8sXhf8xRWaUmWnBuO8SKQzgyGy1Jz1p6Qy0gItPUFFQGkvfv%2BlAnI1YV9qhFC7P%2FZBk3NkSCOX2nA%3D,0385671768::Nk4A5wl43HJLD1T1HtzKhFs8jx74G2p4Gttlvck6BrwvmKoelFdcqkpZxgdae53T%2FPVPBYp4x4kg52IMZ0aCOMRnWcgF3k9JmE3xmIKtQlY%3D","sprites":{"addToWishlist":["wl_one","wl_two","wl_three"],"addToCart":["s_addToCart","s_addBothToCart","s_add3ToCart"],"preorder":["s_preorderThis","s_preorderBoth","s_preorderAll3"]},"shippingDetails":{"xz":"same","xy":"same","yz":"same","xyz":"same"},"tags":["x","y","z","w"],"strings":{"addToWishlist":["Add to Wish List","Add both to Wish List","Add all three to Wish List","Add all four to Wish List"],"addToCart":["Add to Cart","Add both to Cart","Add all three to Cart","Add all four to Cart"],"showDetailsDefault":"Show availability and shipping details","shippingError":"An error occurred, please try again","hideDetailsDefault":"Hide availability and shipping details","priceLabel":["Price:","Price For Both:","Price For All Three:","Price for all four:"],"preorder":["Pre-order this item","Pre-order both items","Pre-order all three items","Pre-order all four items"]}}

Product Description

About the Author

ARLENE DICKINSON is a judge on the hit CBC TV show Dragons’ Den. Ranked as one of PROFIT Magazine’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs for seven years running, she is considered one of the most powerful female business leaders in Canada. Dickinson is the owner and CEO of Venture Communications, a company she grew from a small, local firm to one of the largest independent agencies in Canada. (It’s repeatedly recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada.) A mother of four, Dickinson is a recipient of the prestigious Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence and has been named one of Chatelaine’s Top 100 Women Business Owners and one of msn.ca’s top female entrepreneurs in the world. She has also been inducted into Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame.

Most helpful customer reviews

Evolution of a human being. Started from nothing and became something. I LOVE IT!! I loved reading her life story. This book showed me how hard Arlene actually had to work to get where she is. Most people that want to be rich expect it to be handed to them. This book is some what of self help book, however it is interesting to read how Arlene puts her spin on subjects/situations, and lessons learned. Arlene is a intelligent beautiful, attractive woman inside and out and a great contributor to the world, Canadian history, and society.

I received this book as a Christmas gift and enjoyed reading it from cover to cover in 24 hours! The book was full of strategies any leader, entrepreneur, business owner and marketing professional could put into practice immediately. Arlene eloquently captured the importance of basic business principles such as trust, authenticity, reciprocity and relationship.

Through Arlene's story and business experience she openly shares some of the challenges she overcame, mistakes she made, and lessons learned along the way. These were incredibly valuable as Arlene identified what many entrepreneurs are thinking or feeling, but are unlikely to seek help so therefore go through business and challenges alone. thank you Arlene for capturing the discussions that matter and need to happen.

There is a quote that there are clues left by successful people. Arelene is a great example of a successful business woman and community member, the clues she leaves are in the form of practical tips and actions.

Businesses who apply Arlene's human approach to business will be well served!

Charmaine HammondAuthor, Professional Speaker,[[ASIN:0983604509 Toby, the Pet Therapy Dog, and His Hospital Friends

I really enjoyed this book. If you want to make changes in the way you approach situations in your work and personal life this could be the book for you. The only thing you need is an open mind and a willingness to really follow Arlene's suggestions. Being a fan of Dragons Den I could hear her speaking through the book in the same language she uses on The Den. She is truly a person with integrity and passion both in business and life. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a blueprint for personal growth.

Clear and simple read. From the heart, her own experiences. Well structured from learning how to figure out who you are to serving a pitch.Works for me, I coach cross country skiing. There are a lot of similar challenges in sport and business. Highly recommended to read for coaches who feel they need to get ideas across athletes and other coaches.

I found this book hard to put down, as I'd expected would be the case. Arlene Dickinson writes how she speaks,& how she presents herself on "The Dragon's Den," and that makes for a captivating audience. I am not a business woman, but found her angle of using this book's title "Persuasion" in everyday aspects of my life quite meaningful & relatable (& ethical). How can you not admire her approach & attitude to life & business? She is interesting, inspirational & honorable! I am so glad I bought this book, it was so enjoyable to read.{I would be interested to know who sells more books, Arlene Dickinson, or Kevin O'Leary(?!)}.

Arlene wrote an amazing book, written in real words to real people. This book is not a bunch of business mumbo jumbo, but a guide to lifestyle change.

I am not an avid reader, but this book has me on the edge of my seat, wanting to read more and learn more. And I can think of at least 3 people close to me who could really use a boost out of their individual black hole (I am a thrifty girl, but can't wait to send them all a copy of this book).

As for me, this book has come at a point where I feel trapped in my own black hole. I know I have the tools to build happiness, and I am quickly learning how to PERSUADE myself that I will be ok with the decisions I make.

I'm excited, I'm energize, and I'm so happy to have bought Persuasion.

Persuasion is an easy read with a lot of real-life examples. There is something to take away from this book, whoever your are and whatever the field you work in. Arlene Dickinson teaches us that persuasion is about being authentic, not about deceiving others. She shows us how to approach situations and people to have win-win results with the best possible outcome.